To instill fear in someone. Danger is all around us, whether its people or cars, or police, or terrorists, the list goes on. To intimidate someone it has to be programmed subconciously through mediums for example the news, music, television, upbringing, and for many people experiences. If someone told you don't go to this certain street they have thugs there, that person has programmed your subconscious mind without your permission so automatically if you were on that street you will create fear but if you never knew you would have not been scared unless they did something to you on that street and now it becomes experience. And the people who you are programmed to fear know this very well because their subconscious is programmed to behave as a threat to people who are different so to guard yourself is intelligence, learn as much as you can about society and self defense but mainly avoid threats at all cost. you should cross the streets if you see a group of intimidating young men but if you walk past them you are taking a chance because if they dress like thugs you see in rap videos then they should be treated and regarded as one. I'm not being prejudice but appearance is very important in society